Griggs courier., 1887-06-24
A Lesson in Patriotism.


A Lesson in Patriotism.
In the chapter of ..The Fairport
Nine' relating to the military company
of the boys, it is told that these young
heroes had standard presented to
them. Now this actually happened.
Our boys company was called the Ham
cock Cadets, the county in which our
town was situated being Hancock. The
name of the town is Castine, not Fair
port as in the story. There were twelve
of us, and great was the success Of our
little band as ..trainers."
On the Fourth of July, 1910 the flag
was formally presented to our company
by the big sister of one of our private
soldiers. Our young captain drew us up
in line before the great front door of
the house in which lived the young lady
who was to present the flag to us. Ac-
companied by bevy of her blooming
companions, the young lady came out
on the top step with great dignity, and
delivered the following address:
''Young soldiers, it is with pleasure
that1 meet you on this glorious day, so
dear to every patriot, and present to
you standard, whose Stars and Stripes
will show you that it is the true Ameri-
can Flag. If, whenever you march be-
meath it, you remember those brave
men who, under such standard fought
so long and nobly for our independence,
and determine that when time of dan
ger shall come, you will defend your
country with tirmness and courage like
theirs, can ask no more of you as
New England soldiers!
81 do not wish you to love war. True
glory can be gained only when we fight
for freedom. But wish you to love
your country! Read the history of
Washington, the Father of his Country,
and Of the other heroes who fought the
battles of the Revolution. And read,
too, of those who, like the illustrious
Harrison, have in later times defended
our land against its enemies. Read the
lives of such men, repeat, and endeavor
to be animated by their spirit. And l
would have you learn more of your
country,-what broad and beautiful
land it is, and how worthy to be pa
triot's home. The more you learn of it
the dearer it will be to you; and you
should become more earnest to do all
in your power to make it free and hap
py. wish you to believe that bad cit
liens are the worst enemies of their
country, for you will then be likely to
grow up good citizens, and try to make
others so.
'And now, after urging you once
more to be always ready to protect ev-
cry part of our beloved country, even
to the remotest log-cabin that is built
upon its borders, I will place in your
hands the Star-Spangled Banner.
".Forever float this standard sheet!
-, Where breathes the foe but falls before us;
And Freedoms banner streaming DER us?'''
The blushing young standard bearer
received into his hand the Banner of
Freedom, and the. captain ordered
three cheers, which were given with
will.
And now let me tell the sequel:
OF the handful Of boys who stood
around the little standard bearer while
that lesson was given to the miniature
soldiers, one, the captain, fell in the
siege Of Port Hudson, willing martyr
to tho cause of his country. Another,
private in the ranks, won in the army
of the Republic title and a name for
courage and skill; and he was one of
the party who regained their liberty by
tunneling passage out Of Libby Pris-
on. A third, also private, went to
the wars and, after renowned service,
came home to spend his days in peace
and honor. A fourth, the drummer of
the Castine cadets, commanded in many
q hard-fought naval fight deserving
well of his country.-and, when peace
had returned, he met his death by the
sudden sinking Of his ship. the man-of-
war Oneida, and now lies in his lonely
grave on the coast Of Japan.
The lesson in patriotism was not In
vain.-Noah Brooks in st. Nicholas.
Two colored citizens of Coahoma
county, Mississippi, swapped wives
one day, recently, articles of agree
ment being drawn up to clinoh the bar
gain.